Animal activists invading farms face on-the-spot fines of $1272 from July 1

Animal activists who invade farms will soon face hefty on-the-spot fines, more than three years on from the infamous Gippy Goat invasion.

Activists that breach farm biosecurity put human and animal health at risk.

Animal activists who invade farms and breach biosecurity plans, face on-the-spot fines of $1272 for an individual or $8,178 for an organisation from July 1.

The Victorian Parliament’s Upper House finally passed the Andrews Government’s Livestock Management Amendment (Animal Activism) Bill 2021 last night, rejecting a Liberal-Nationals Coalition’s bid for a further amendment that would have doubled penalties.

Under the legislation penalties can only be imposed if a farmer has a biosecurity plan in place that records who enters the property, on the basis they first gain permission and provide identification.

But the legislation stops short of allowing farmers’ to extend their biosecurity plans to cover crown land, such as water frontages, over which they may hold an agricultural or grazing licence.

The Coalition has repeatedly raised concerns that the government had left the gate open on activists being allowed to enter water frontages and cause trouble for farmers, given there were often no fences between a farm and its licenced crown land.

National Upper House land use spokeswoman Melina Bath tried to amend the Bill so that farmers could extend their biosecurity plans to crown land, but he amendment was defeated.

Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the legislation would allow farmers and workers in the agricultural industry to do their work without fear of being targeted by animal activists.

“This sort of activity is highly distressing for farming families and puts the biosecurity and safety of animals at risk,” Ms Thomas said.

“Victoria’s on-the-spot fines for animal activists who trespass on farms will be the toughest in the nation.

“We are backing our hardworking farmers because they are critical to keeping food on our tables and supporting local jobs in regional and rural communities across Victoria.”

These new measures are part of the Labor Government’s response to the Inquiry into the Impact of Animal Rights Activism on Victorian Agriculture. The Government supported 13 of the report’s 15 recommendations in full including the creation of BMPs and subsequent penalties for those who fail to comply.

Further penalties of up to $10,904 for an individual and up to $54,522 for an organisation could apply for more serious offending.

However Ms Bath said it was not clear from the legislation what “serious offence” meant.